switching to points question
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
switching to points question
I got a 78 f150 and I am I putting a 1968 302 freshly re done. Since im going to points I can eliminate brain box but what wire out the key switch should I run to distributer for my power? Also just use orginal coil wires?
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
You really should spend some time considering if you actually want to go back to points. Since your truck is already set up for Duraspark ignition, you are much, much better served dropping in a year-correct distributor for the truck and running electronic ignition on the older motor. Your truck is already set up for this.
But to answer your question directly: the wire that went to the positive terminal of the coil still goes to the positive terminal of the coil. The negative terminal of the coil goes directly to the points, which comes out of the points distributor as a single wire. There is no separate power to the distributor.
But to answer your question directly: the wire that went to the positive terminal of the coil still goes to the positive terminal of the coil. The negative terminal of the coil goes directly to the points, which comes out of the points distributor as a single wire. There is no separate power to the distributor.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
You might ask that in the 302 forum, but 302's were offered in these trucks for '78, so that's a start. Link to that forum: Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W) - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
As I said in my previous post, there's no power to the distributor in the first place. In a points setup, all the distributor does is provide a switched ground to the primary winding of the ignition coil. It's one wire. Even with the Duraspark setup, there's still no power to the distributor - one of the three wires is a permanent ground, the other 2 are a variable-reluctance sensor that the module accepts as an input.
If you really wanted to do what you're doing, you'd just disconnect the ignition module and leave the connectors near the firewall hanging there. The connector that went to the old distributor would hang there too. You'd be left with the horseshoe connector from your old coil. The RED wire in that connector goes to the positive terminal of the points coil. The GREEN wire in that connector is unused. You'd run a NEW wire from the negative terminal of the points coil, to the sole wire coming out of the points distributor.
If you really wanted to do what you're doing, you'd just disconnect the ignition module and leave the connectors near the firewall hanging there. The connector that went to the old distributor would hang there too. You'd be left with the horseshoe connector from your old coil. The RED wire in that connector goes to the positive terminal of the points coil. The GREEN wire in that connector is unused. You'd run a NEW wire from the negative terminal of the points coil, to the sole wire coming out of the points distributor.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
What about the distributor gear, shaft length, etc? There's a lot more than just the size of the hole.
Trending Topics
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 326
Likes: 15
From: near charlotte nc
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
That's already part of the Duraspark setup. Both points and Duraspark used a ballast resistor. As such, the connection to the positive terminal of the coil remains the same between the two setups as I described in both of my previous posts.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
Dura-Spark Electronic Ignition introduced in 1974, but not all vehicles came with until 1976.
12250 Resistor Wire-Ignition Coil ~
Left: 1973/79 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog (includes Econoline) / Right: 1973/79 Ford Passenger Car Parts Catalog (includes Bronco).
12250 Resistor Wire-Ignition Coil ~
Left: 1973/79 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog (includes Econoline) / Right: 1973/79 Ford Passenger Car Parts Catalog (includes Bronco).
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Steves55
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Apr 13, 2017 10:48 PM
Vaokie1
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Jul 15, 2013 01:23 PM
85rustbucket
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jan 26, 2010 02:09 PM